President Obama To Honor Texas Tower Victims
BOSTON (AP) - President Obama will recognize 28 men who died when a cold war radar station off Massachusetts collapsed into the sea 50 years ago.
U.S. Sen. John Kerry's office said the White House told them Friday that Obama would give Kerry a letter recognizing the sacrifice of the victims to deliver to their surviving relatives.
"Texas Tower No. 4" was built 85 miles offshore to give early warning of a Soviet air attack. Its Jan. 15, 1961, collapse killed 28 men repairing the hurricane-weakened tower.
In 2000, a former tower worker contacted Kerry after reading a history that described it as "abandoned" before collapse.
Kerry's office said Obama was the first of four presidents to respond to letters seeking recognition for the victims. They said they were looking forward to receiving Obama's letter so they can honor the victims.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
